A Democratic congressional primary to fill the seat of one of the poorest districts in the country is already underway.
New York’s 15th Congressional District has been represented by Democratic Rep. Jose Serrano, 76, for 16 terms; back in March, Serrano announced he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and would not seek reelection.
Since 2010, the district has been among the most poverty-stricken and the most solidly Democratic in the nation. The median household income in the district was estimated to be $28,042, according to 24/7 Wall St.’s study of 2017 census data, well below the city’s $33,562 poverty threshold at that time.
Local unions and other Democratic allies have begun to throw support behind favored candidates. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus endorsed New York City Democratic Councilman Ritchie Torres over his two main rivals — former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr.
“A proud son of the Bronx, Torres has proven to be an effective leader and @BOLD Dems has no doubt that he will continue to be a champion for justice and the dignity of the people of New York,” BOLD Dems, the PAC for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a statement on Twitter.
Diaz Sr., a Pentecostal minister and former state senator who opposes abortion and voted against New York’s gay marriage law, is a candidate who has a strong faith-based following in the district, but Democrats intend to fight to keep him away from the nomination.
However, more candidates are interested in this seat, as capturing the nomination will likely mean the winner will go on to win the general election, given the history of political voting demographics of the district.
Other candidates include New York Democratic Assemblyman Michael Blake, who received the endorsement of the city’s union of municipal workers, and South Bronx organizer Samelys Lopez, who received the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America — the same organization that supported Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in her successful primary run against then-incumbent Joe Crowley in 2018.
